Another visitor from another system: T+A PA 3100 HV

Kuoppis

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Jan 19, 2015
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After testing the excellent P 3000 HV preamp some weeks back, last week I got an opportunity to try out its newer integrated sibling in my system. I auditioned the previous generation quite extensively when it was released, as I was about to buy it. However, at that time I felt it lacked a bit of bass heft I wanted in my system (at that time with the slightly difficult to drive Magico S1 mk1 speakers).

Now I have been told that this has been addressed in the PA 3100 HV. And I can confirm at least for my part, no issues there. Very nice dynamics, speed and overall a solid bass response. And I love the titanium finish, looks really nice.

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After listening to it for some time I must say I am quite impressed. IMHO this is definitely one of the better integrated amps on the market right now. Very even tonal balance, good detail retrieval, yet silky smooth on the top. And as stated earlier, a nice bass. It also fits snugly into my rack, after some slight tweaking.

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So this updated version turns out to be quite nice and an improvement to its predecessor to my ears (the PA 3000 HV is still part of the portfolio as well, if I’m not mistaken). I like what I am hearing. And the new meters in the display window are a nice new detail, a pleasure previously reserved for the A 3000 HV power amp owners. Even though they do not budge much at my usual listening levels.

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Trying to find something to complain about this amp is quite difficult. Maybe the upper mids are slightly recessed, and paying more than double for separates will get you more precise imaging, soundstaging and channel separation. Therefore, the T+A P 3000 HV pre with separate power management for the digital and analog sections, and a Soulution 511 power amp as a combination I had in my system recently, definitely has a leg up in that department. It is also quite difficult to match the Soulution’s bass control, frequency response and speed. But all that also comes at a price. Please keep in mind, this is complaining on a very high level. And we are comparing apples and oranges (integrated vs. separates).

Could I live with the T+A PA 3100 HV integrated in my system? Definitely, and happily so. A great amp IMHO, and superb value for money.

I think Mike and Mike have one of these in the candy shop. So you can ask Mike or Mike... (did someone say something about Mike jokes?).


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Analog playback via the Grandinote Celio mk4 and AMG Viella also sounds great through the T+A.

Joe Lovano/ Trio Tapestry: The album’s atmospheric play on the opener is nicely conveyed through this setup. Nice ambiance, reverbs and and detail retrieval of finest nuances.
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Nice... T+A is great gear IMHO. Of course my opinion is based on much lower models. I love my SET amplifiers but I also believe I could happily live with my little T+A amplifier. At times I have actually considered selling the Audio Mirror amps because the T+A is that good.

I wish I could swing the T+A integrated. I would do it in a heart beat :).
 
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